Image formation device using an I2C bus and a control method thereof

Abstract

An image formation device using an I 2 C bus and a control method therefor. The image formation device includes a plurality of detection sensors for detecting operation states of the peripheral devices; a plurality of A/D conversion units for converting into digital signals detection result signals output from the plurality of detection sensors; a plurality of slave devices for separating and storing by detection sensor the detection result signals converted into the digital signals by the A/D conversion units, and sending the stored detection result signals according to a signal requesting detection results; and a master device for requesting to the slave devices the detection result signal from at least one detection sensor out of the plurality of detection sensors in order to verify the operation states of the peripheral devices, such that the slave devices and the master device send and receive data to and from each other through a serial bus.

1. An image formation device which controls data communications between peripheral devices performing printing jobs and a main controller controlling the peripheral devices, the image formation device comprising:
 a plurality of detection sensors for detecting operation states of the peripheral devices and outputting detection result signals; 
 an A/D conversion unit for converting into digital signals the detection result signals output from the detection sensors; 
 a slave device for separating and storing by detection sensor the detection result signals converted into the digital signals by the A/D conversion unit, and sending the stored detection result signals according to a detection result request signal; and 
 a master device for requesting to the slave device the detection result signal of the at least one of said detection sensors in order to verify the operation states of the peripheral devices, wherein the slave device and the master device send and receive data to and from each other through a serial bus. 
 
   
   
     2. The image formation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the serial bus is an I 2 C bus for data communications through a data bus line and a clock bus line. 
   
   
     3. The image formation device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a display unit for displaying the operation states of the image formation device; and 
 a key input unit for enabling users to select and set functions supported by the image formation device, wherein the display unit and the key input unit communicate with the master device through the I 2 C bus. 
 
   
   
     4. The image formation device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the slave device includes:
 a communication protocol for performing communications with the master device; and 
 registers for storing by detection sensor the digital signals converted by the A/D conversion unit according to the detection result signals. 
 
   
   
     5. A control method of an image formation device having at least one detection sensor for detecting operation states of peripheral devices, a A/D conversion unit for converting detection result signals into digital signals, a slave device for separating and storing the detection result signals by detection sensor, and a master device connected to the slave devices through a serial bus, for controlling the slave devices, the control method comprising steps of:
 using the detector sensor to detect the operation states of the peripheral devices; 
 using the A/D conversion unit to convert the detection result signals into the digital signals by the at least one detection sensor; 
 using the slaves device to separate and store by detection sensor the detection result signals converted into the digital signals; 
 deciding whether to receive a detection result request signal of at least one detection sensor from the master device; and 
 sending to the master device the detection result signals corresponding to the detection result request signal if it is decided that the detection result request signal is received in the decision step. 
 
   
   
     6. The control method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the serial bus is an I 2 C bus for data communications through a data bus line and a clock bus line.